Last Friday night, Luke Bryan, both Georgia native and country newcomer, hit the Grizzly Rose and the ladies swooned.

With stage presence of a firecracker and boy-next-door charm, Bryan held the audience spellbound while delivering songs made famous by such country music icons as Garth Brooks, The Steve Miller Band and Billy Currington and wowed the crowd with his genre versatility and crisp lyrics.

The audience rocked to Bryan’s latest hit “We Rode in Trucks” and absolutely went hysterical during the finale song that made Bryan a household name, “All My Friends Say.”

Wild camera flashes and hyena screams filled the saloon as Bryan showed off his dancing skills and made countless shout-outs to Denver, Vail and Colorado.

Credited as a songwriter as well as performer, Bryan’s repertoire ranges from country ballads to fun, “revenge against your ex” songs. Bryan melted numerous hearts at Friday’s performance with songs such as “First Love Song” and “You Make Me Want To.” Yet he had fans up on their feet and shaking their hips and drinks to “Country Man” and “Baby’s on the Way.”

Bryan’s performance was enhanced by his band that included a dynamite fiddle, bass guitar, and keyboard.

Laid back, yet serious about his time on the stage, Bryan was no less than appreciative that fans sang unerringly along with him, having memorized the vocals. He knew just what to do to get the crowd all worked up.

After a much-anticipated encore in which he handed out drinks from backstage and high-fived audience members, Bryan took time to sign autographs and pose for photos with his many fans.

Bryan is a hot new country act worth watching.